Heartland Large Animal Services

04/14/2026

Get your horses vaccinated for Rabies ASAP!
The first sign of Rabies in horses is colic and the first thing owners do it give oral meds and Rabies is spread through saliva!

3rd rabies case confirmed in Polk County

The third rabies case for 2026 has been confirmed in Polk County as of April 11, 2026. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported that this latest case involved a Brazilian free-tailed bat found inside a home within the city limits of Bartow. Case Details Location: Bartow, FL. The Incident: On Wednesday, April 8, a family’s cat was discovered near a live bat inside their residence....

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2026/04/12/3rd-rabies-case-confirmed-in-polk-county/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=jetpack_social

03/06/2026

27 likes, 6 comments. “Most horses rely on their eyes to survive. Endo didn’t have that… and still trusted the world anyway. Equestrian, Raines, and I were lucky enough to spend a day with him and his owner Morgan not long ago. We even got to groom him. Standing beside a horse w...

02/19/2026

One of my biggest pet peeves… and I’m not shy to tell clients this anymore, the amount of clients we get that feel it’s ok to call 5 times back to back when we aren’t answering is absurd, and yes this goes for the office too! We have one person in the office answering the phones and when she is in the middle of scheduling with a client she will call you back.

PSA for Horse Owners 🐴📞

Please always leave a voicemail or send a text when you contact your veterinarian — and follow the instructions on the voicemail if provided.

Please don’t call and hang up if we don’t answer.

Equine veterinarians are often extremely busy and may be:
• In the middle of an exam
• Speaking with another client
• Handling an emergency
• Driving between farms
• Restocking trucks and supplies
• Completing medical records or ordering medications

Many equine vets are working alone, without a technician or office staff to answer calls.

After hours, veterinarians may be with their families and trying to get a small amount of much-needed rest — while still remaining available for true emergencies.

We absolutely understand that emergencies feel urgent. However, we still have to screen calls to determine which situations are critical and which can safely wait until the next day.

And to be honest:
More than half of after-hours calls are not true emergencies.
Even as an emergency-only veterinarian, I still receive many non-emergency questions overnight.

📌 The best way to reach us is to leave a message or text with details. That helps us respond as quickly and appropriately as possible.

If you haven’t heard back within a reasonable amount of time, it is completely okay to call again.

Thank you for understanding and for helping us help your horses. 💙

02/13/2026

01/06/2026

Rodeo Family , one of our own , our number one judge of the rodeo. Will be forever missed. We have no words just how much the rodeo will miss our beloved David. Please keep the family in your prayers, we know just how fleeting life is, this is just another reminder to live each day with a greatful heart, please see the update from the family below. Once we have a time for the honor walk we will update the page.
After a 3rd opinion, We will be removing David from the vent. We agreed to donate to Lifelink so that David can continue to effect others lives just like he did in life. They will be doing a flag raising ceremony outside tomorrow to honor David but then an honor walk for friends/family when he’s taken to the OR to have the vent removed, likely Weds. We can share those details when I know more.

01/06/2026

Please Share!
LAST CALL PCYF EXHIBITORS!

All horses need a current coggins and all cattle, goats and lambs need a Health Certificate.
If you need coggins or a health certificate for Polk County Youth Fair you will need an appt immediately!

Call our office during business hours M-F 8am-5pm to request an appointment ASAP. Do not wait until next week as we may not have any availability! 863-537-1495

Goats need scrapie tags or a tattoo/microchip with matching registration papers.
Lambs need a scrapie tag.
Cattle need a USDA tag or official ID. Registered cattle can use tattoo or brand with matching registration papers.

11/25/2025

A few alligator tears with lunch

1031 likes, 132 comments. “For every old horse we care for… Heaven sees that kindness. 🐴❤️ “The righteous care for the needs of their animals.” — Proverbs 12:10.”

11/05/2025

10/07/2025

SAVE THE DATE. PLEASE SHARE

10/01/2025

Please Share if any PCYF exhibitors (cattle, lambs and goats) needing Health Papers, Vaccines or tagging!
Use the link below to register!

https://forms.gle/fXg17z6aLy3tdZ1L7
tslolowste